National Poetry Month

April is National Poetry Month and it’s just around the corner! My good blogger friend, Greg Pincus, over at Gotta Book, has put together a wonderful schedule of events to celebrate this annual event and month-long celebration.

In his own words, here’s what he’ll be showcasing on his blog throughout the month of April:

I’m incredibly excited to announce the first annual 30 Poets/30 Days, a celebration of children’s poetry taking place at GottaBook during National Poetry Month.

Every day in April, I’ll be posting a previously unpublished poem by a different poet. Here’s the alphabetical list of who’s participating:

Arnold Adoff, Jaime Adoff, Rebecca Kai Dotlich, Douglas Florian, Betsy Franco, Kristine O’Connell George, Charles Ghigna, Nikki Giovanni, Joan Bransfield Graham, Nikki Grimes, Mary Ann Hoberman, Lee Bennett Hopkins, X. J. Kennedy, Julie Larios, J. Patrick Lewis, Pat Mora, Kenn Nesbitt, Linda Sue Park, Ann Whitford Paul, Gregory K. Pincus, Jack Prelutsky, Adam Rex, Jon Scieszka, Joyce Sidman, Marilyn Singer, April Halprin Wayland, Janet Wong, and Jane Yolen.

We’ll launch on Tuesday, April 1, with former Children’s Poet Laureate Jack Prelutsky’s “A Little Poem for Poetry Month.” We’ll end April 30th with “Books & Me” by Pat Mora to help celebrate El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day). And every day in between will bring something new. You can follow along here and via @30poets30days on Twitter.

There will also be a lot of other poetry related fun going on in the kidlitosphere during April, including

- at the Miss Rumphius Effect, Tricia has a cool series called Poetry Makers, with a highlight being interviews with 36 (!!!) poets.
- at Poetry For Children, Sylvia Vardell will be reviewing a new children’s poetry book every day;
- at the Pencil Talk blog, Anastasia Suen will be collecting school poems written by children throughout April… and posting one each day.
- and of course there’s Poetry Friday and much, much more, so look for updates all month long.

I want to thank all the poets for their generosity and enthusiasm, and I particularly want to single out J. Patrick Lewis and Kenn Nesbitt for going above and beyond the call in helping me put this event together. Also, special thanks to my brother Jon and all the folks who’ve given me ideas and support along the way. If there has been any frustration in organizing this event at all, it’s only that there are so many other wonderfully talented people writing poetry for kids and it was hard not to invite them all. But that’s why I plan to make this an annual celebration.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

My *Hip* Hurts

I had a job interview this afternoon. Wow, was I unprepared and overdressed. I have never felt more unhip in my life.

The music playing in the lobby was loud and the employees were young and seemed to be dressed for a party, or at least like nothing I’ve ever seen in the casual work environments that I’ve been exposed to.

The interview – if I can even call it that – lasted less than five minutes and consisted of someone else doing all the talking – and boy, did she talk fast.

Afterward, I told my parents about the experience and laughed at myself for being so concerned with what I was wearing, what I looked like, how I appeared.

Suddenly, the Saturday Night Live skit featuring Stuart Smalley and his Daily Affirmation came to mind: “I’m good enough. I’m smart enough. And doggone it, people like me.”

It was my first interview in over 8 years. I may (or may) not get called back for a second interview. Hopefully, if I do, I’ll be able to have a two-sided conversation that lasts more than five minutes.

Is there anything worse than a job interview? I think I’d rather go on a first date since typically there’s something in it for me, like free food or alcohol.

Speaking of dates (and alcohol), today is my son’s fifth birthday. I’ll be celebrating this exciting milestone tomorrow, along with the start to 2009.

Have a Happy Healthy Hip New Year!

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

One Year Blogoversary!

An entire year has gone by since I first started this blog. It’s evolved quite a bit in these twelve months, as have I, and I thank each and every one of you for taking time out of your day to stop here, visit and perhaps leave a comment.

Comments are what keeps us bloggers going so even if it’s to disagree or to ask a quick question, I truly appreciate what readers have to say.

In honor of the one year anniversary of the blog and my company, Happy Healthy Hip Parenting, I will be hosting several giveaways and contests over the next week. Great prizes were donated from some amazing companies that I discovered at the ABC Kids Expo last week in Las Vegas.

If you’d like to learn more about the upcoming baby gear giveaways, you can subscribe to the blog via email, RSS Feed or text messaging!

You won’t want to miss out on your chance to win so be sure to stop by every day next week.

And, by the end of this month, a newly designed website will roll out over at the Happy Healthy Hip Parenting company site. I’ll launch the new design over here, so keep your eyes peeled for the wonderful graphics created by Mike Ward, friend and colleague whom I met over at Twitter.

There are many wonderful people I’ve met on line over the last year, so again, thanks to everyone for your support and interest.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Blog Day 2008

Blog Day 2008 is two weeks away. Are you prepared?

Participate by adding a badge to your site and research at least 5 blogs to share with others. Instructions are simple:

1. Find 5 new Blogs that you find interesting
2. Notify the 5 bloggers that you are recommending them as part of BlogDay 2008
3. Write a short description of the Blogs and place a link to the recommended Blogs
4. Post the BlogDay Post (on August 31st)
5. Add the BlogDay tag using this link:
   http://technorati.com/tag/BlogDay2008 and a link to the BlogDay web site: http://www.blogday.org

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

You’re Invited!

These days, cell phones, MP3 players and even sneakers are stylish, personalized and technologically progressive. So why are online invitations so stubbornly stuck in the past? This simple realization was the genesis behind pingg. pingg begins where others leave off seamlessly fusing style, design and customization with robust delivery and management features.

• Create an actual invitation, as opposed to a mere link to a webpage, by choosing from a variety of unique images that reflect your own personal taste, including our Designer Series. Or you can upload your own images for a more personal touch.
• Choose to send invitations via ONE or ALL of pingg’s methods- email, print (pingg will print, stamp and mail the invitations to your selected guests), sms/text, or easily share it with your social network. By integrating online and print invitations, pingg makes it easy to reach your guests in a variety of ways, while managing all guest replies online.

• Customize your event webpage by uploading photos or videos, writing longer personalized messages and attaching additional information about the event. pingg also has advanced features for gift & charity registries, money collection and ticketing.
• Manage all RSVPs, lists, guest messaging, follow-ups, reminders, last minute changes and Thank You notes efficiently and easily from one place.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

First Moment Memories

There are three brand new babies in my family and I won’t be able to meet them for another three weeks yet. So far, I’ve already purchased tiny little shoes and onesies and books for them, their siblings and parents.

One thing I have not yet done is purchase something or create something that honors their special day, in particular. I’m not a creative person (honestly) so I was thrilled to discover that a colleague of mine has recently started her own company: First Moments Memories.

From Founder:

“I love celebrating big events, and finding an artful way to remember them was hard to do. There are other keepsakes that capture similar information, but either the art wasn’t engaging, or there was too much text. Nothing I found captured the true celebratory feeling of a great event.

So little by little, I started piecing together the idea of original art, creative fonts, and something versatile that could go easily into a photo album, or be a great framed piece to admire.

Every time I look at one for my son and daughter, I find myself smiling. Why not share a smile?”

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

When Hallmark Just Won’t Do

Now, before I continue, I must say that I love Hallmark. However, not all situations or people are worthy of a Hallmark card. And that’s where SomeEcards come in handy.

This is a good one to send to a lover if you’ve discovered that he or she has cheated:

When you care enough to invite an ex-lover to your wedding:

The BEST Father’s Day card, ever:

To share with fellow co-workers:

Several of these cards will offend and possibly disturb some individuals. These are the same cards that will make others (such as myself) laugh out loud and want to send them to each and every one that you know. Spread the joy and be sure to leave a comment here with a link to your favorite SomeEcards!

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Uncommon Goodies – Father’s Day Gift Guide

There’s less than one month until Father’s Day. Here’s some suggestions for some unique and fun gifts:

Baseball Pint Glasses

Bike Chain Opener


Finestra Watch


Remote Control Pocket Pillow

Ebony Wood and Stainless Steel Mens Ring

Wicked Cool Parent Mugs


Illusion Half-Pint Glasses



Recycled Bike Chain Frame



Recycled Record Frame


Four Fraction Ruler Pen

Don’t forget Grandpa:

Fishing with Grampa


Uses for Grandparents Books

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Two Things

Two Names I Go By:

1. Sondra
2. Mom

Two Things I’m Wearing Right Now:

1. underwear
2. pink robe

Two Things I Want (or have) in a Relationship:

1. Honesty
2. Support

Two of My Favorite Things to do:

1. Spend time with my son
2. Shop

Two Things I Did Last Night:

1. Enjoyed wine tasting with other Moms
2. Played BUNCO for the first time and laughed my *** off

Two Things I Ate Last Night:

1. Chipotle sauce & cream cheese (YUM)
2. Chocolate

Two people I Last Talked To:

1. Natascha & Erika (during the car ride home last night)
2. My man (he called this morning but let me go to help set up for a birthday party for a one-year-old)

Two Things I’m Doing Tomorrow:

1. Celebrating Memorial Day with my son
2. NOT working!

Two Longest Car Rides I’ve taken:

1. Maple Grove, MN to Portland, OR (1,715 miles) – August 1997
2. Prescott, WI to San Diego, CA (2,017 miles) – June 1999

Two Favorite Holidays:

1. Christmas
2. My son’s birthday

Two Favorite Beverages:

1. Pinot Noir
2. Voss Bottled Water

Two Favorite Types of Food:

1. Sushi
2. Mexican

Two Favorite Places:

1. There’s no place like home.
2. Home is where your mom is.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

For Moms Who Get Around

FLIGHT 001 has some great gift ideas for Mother’s Day. They specialize in products to help make traveling easier. Their fun designs and affordable items make this a great website to visit for anyone who travels, whether for business or pleasure.

HANDMADE SILK JEWELRY ROLL – Features 3 zip pockets for necklaces, bracelets and long earrings, one spacious slip pocket for larger pieces, a snap-down ring roll, and 4 loops for small earrings. Exterior features a silk embroidered flower motif with silk tie closure. 8.5in X 14.75in

ZEBRA TRAVEL CLOCK – Features an alarm and fold-in protective and portable design. 3.5in x 3.5in x 1.25in.

TRANSPORT WEEKENDER – Features a large interior packing compartment with zip closure. Exterior features a zip pocket, double handles, and an adjustable/removable
messenger strap.

MOBILE PHONE HOLDER – Hangs between your phone’s plugged-in battery charger and the wall socket. The instant little shelf provides a support for your phone and cord while keeping them neat and safe.

MIMOBOT USB FLASHDRIVE – USB storage device in Domo-kun design. Features 1 GB of memory, and comes already preloaded with bonus digital content, ranging from icons and screen savers to rich media. Compatible with Mac, Windows, and Windows Vista’s ReadyBoost technology.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home